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Olympus FE-45 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
14
Overall
25
Olympus FE-45 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus FE-45 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Olympus FE-45
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-108mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched January 2009
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Olympus FE-45 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus FE-45 and Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the FE-45 (10MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is pretty similar but the FE-45 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") offer different sensor sizing.

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The FE-45 was brought out 5 years prior to the MX-1 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the FE-45 grades versus the MX-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-45 over the Pentax MX-1

 FE-45 MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus FE-45

 MX-1 FE-45 
LaunchedJuly 2013January 2009Fresher by 54 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus FE-45 and Pentax MX-1

 FE-45 MX-1 
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus FE-45 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus FE-45 has got exterior dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Pentax MX-1 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

See the Olympus FE-45 and Pentax MX-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the FE-45 compared to the MX-1.

Olympus FE-45 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FE-45 and MX-1 is 95 and 84 respectively.

Olympus FE-45 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading specifications. The visual here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FE-45 and MX-1.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FE-45 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax MX-1 will deliver more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The older FE-45 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus FE-45 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-45 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-45 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Portrait photography camera
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
42
manual focus
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Street photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Street photography factors
56
built in image stabilization (Digital)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
small sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than others in class (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Sports photography details
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography details
26
built in image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
great battery power (290 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Travel photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography advice
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
61
great battery power (290 shots)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (391g)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Landscape photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography factors
27
built in image stabilization (Digital)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
55
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
great battery power (290 CIPA)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Vlogging info
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging info
25
built in image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
33
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (391g)
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Olympus FE-45 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-45 and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus FE-45Pentax MX-1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus FE-45 Pentax MX-1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-01-07 2013-07-01
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-108mm (3.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142g (0.31 lbs) 391g (0.86 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 49
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.3
DXO Low light score not tested 208
Other
Battery life - 290 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $130 $400